Ice Release

Three Anbu...

Kakashi was not a reckless person. After seeing the luxurious lineup before him, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

What kind of hot potato had that old man brought back?

Meanwhile, having already collected Kazashiro's sample, the Anbu thoughtfully used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal the needle mark for him. Though he should have left afterward, he was inexplicably drawn to look at the ice sculptures Kazashiro had made again.

"Uh... want one?" Although he did not understand why the other party had used the legendary Medical Ninjutsu to heal such a tiny needle mark, Kazashiro picked out a fairly decent ice sculpture and handed it over when he saw how interested the man was, following the principle of returning courtesy with courtesy.

He had assumed the other party would not accept it, but to everyone's surprise, the Anbu actually reached out and took the ice sculpture. Only after giving a slight bow did he vanish with the Body Flicker Technique.

As that Anbu left, the other two also disappeared from Kakashi's sight without him noticing.

"You..." Seeing that all the Anbu had vanished, Kakashi walked over to Kazashiro, rolling his shoulders, and then saw the ice sculptures scattered all over the ground.

"This is..." Kakashi picked one up in confusion. Ice should not have appeared in this weather. Could it be—

"Ah, this is my ability." Kazashiro raised a hand, clearing up Kakashi's confusion.

"A Kekkei Genkai..." Kakashi frowned.

Where had his old man snatched this guy up from? No wonder the Anbu had sent people to watch him.

"Achoo." Hatake Sakumo, who was cooking at home, sneezed.

Kakashi had misunderstood Sakumo on this matter. During the time Kazashiro had followed Sakumo, he had not revealed his Ice Release abilities in the slightest. The reason was simple: they had been in Kirigakure then. Even if his whereabouts had been discovered, he could have claimed that Sakumo had kidnapped him and severed any connection to the man.

But if the people of Kirigakure had learned that he possessed a Kekkei Genkai—

He would probably have been burned alive like a witch on trial in the Middle Ages.

Displaying this ability in Konoha, however, was entirely because Kekkei Genkai were treated far better in Konoha than in Kirigakure.

After all, it was not the Sharingan, so it would not make the higher-ups wary all day. Before the divine battles of the early story, it was considered quite valuable. Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi would even personally step forward and take good care of him.

It would be even better if he could use this chance to stay away from Danzo!

Kazashiro thought happily, completely forgetting that when it came to collecting Kekkei Genkai, Danzo was even more enthusiastic than the Third Hokage.

Moreover, Hiruzen still hoped Kazashiro could bring Danzo a sense of attachment, so he was even less likely to interfere in matters between them.

Sure enough, the Hokage Anbu, who had been monitoring Root while also keeping watch on Kazashiro from behind Root, reported what they had seen to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? Sakumo really has brought me quite a surprise." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked delighted when he learned that Kazashiro possessed an Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

If handled properly, Konoha would gain a new Kekkei Genkai clan, and its military strength would rise to another level in the future.

With that thought, Hiruzen immediately gave his orders. "Make sure Kazashiro is protected. At the same time, increase surveillance on the Root ninja and find out what they are up to!"

Hiruzen understood the matter of the Root ninja collecting Kazashiro's sample. It was merely an investigative measure taken because his old friend still harbored doubts. If this child truly was not Danzo's son, then no matter what, he had to bring him under his own command. He absolutely could not let Danzo take him away.

However—

If he truly was Danzo's son, then Hiruzen would have no standing to interfere.

Hiruzen Sarutobi even found himself conflicted. He hoped the child was Danzo's son, so Danzo would show more restraint when acting; yet he also hoped the child was not Danzo's son, so he could thoroughly instill the Will of Fire in him.

Sigh, what a difficult choice.

Meanwhile, Danzo also received Oto's report.

"Lord Danzo, I have handed the sample to Orochimaru. He said he would complete the comparison as soon as possible." Still unaccustomed to Root suddenly becoming so brightly lit, Oto lowered his head even further than usual.

"At the same time—" Seeing that Danzo said nothing, Oto took out the somewhat melted ice sculpture from his clothes. "I discovered that the child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."

"What?" Danzo's half-closed eye immediately widened as he looked at the ice sculpture in Oto's hand.

Wait, why did this ice sculpture look a little like him?

With that question in mind, Danzo reached out and took the ice sculpture, examining it carefully with his one eye.

Hmm. The bandages on its face, the wound on its chin—this really was an ice sculpture of him.

"He made this?" Danzo asked flatly.

"Yes." Oto lowered his head as he answered. "When I went there, he had made many of them. They were all in your image."

"Is that so..." Danzo's heart stirred again. It was the second time that day.

Recalling that timid figure, Danzo sighed inwardly. Though he appears to fear me, deep down, he longs for my approval...

Having brainwashed people for so many years, Danzo believed he understood children of this age very well. Little did he know that Kazashiro simply thought this was easy to make.

"But I never expected it to be Ice Release. That woman..." Danzo sat back down in his chair with the ice sculpture in hand and began looking forward to Orochimaru's results. "If he truly is my son, then with his Ice Release, combined with Root's resources..."

Danzo suddenly thought of a possibility.

However, that possibility could only be discussed after the results truly came out.

"Hiruzen actually concealed such important information from me. Could it be that he is also waiting for my reaction?" Danzo felt dissatisfied with Hiruzen's "concealment."

Hmph, that man was probably waiting for my reaction. The moment I decided not to acknowledge this child, he would immediately step in and draw him into his own camp.

"Tell Ryoma to strengthen Kazashiro's protection. At the same time, keep a close watch on the Anbu around him. If they make any move, Root is to stop them immediately!" Believing he had seen through Hiruzen's intentions, Danzo instructed Oto before him.

"C!" Danzo then summoned C, who was arranging the Root base.

"Lord Danzo." Having just finished installing the light bulbs, C waited for Danzo's orders.

"Go to the Shimura Clan's properties and see whether there are any well-located houses close to the Ninja Academy. If there are, clean and furnish one. Also, the base is a little too bright. Take down all those light bulbs!"

"Yes." If not for the Curse Mark, C truly wanted to ask Danzo before him, Old bastard, are you screwing with me?